System and method for using symbol command language within a communications network

• US 8,392,447 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Message4U Pty. Ltd. (Sinch AB)
• Original Assignee: Bulletin.Net Inc
• Inventors: Macrae, David N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ehichioya, Fred I
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACKES, KRIS E
• Application Number:
  US12/314,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20100161638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,538 Days
• Field of Search: 707/769
• US Class Current: 707/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A system and method for generating actions utilizing predefined commands within a communications network comprises predefined commands called symbol commands. These are character strings entered into an internet platform during an internet protocol session. The method and system can be used via the internet and is well-suited for mobile use. In addition, utilization of keywords and alpha-numeric or other character symbols to form symbol commands allows for complex command structuring. A search process is used in combination with a symbol command and a symbol command directory to identify specific goods and services, or related symbol commands. In addition, a platform performs specific predetermined actions in response to the symbol command such as making product purchases or providing services such as location-based services, coupon delivery or travel ticketing. The symbol command structure and internet platform will also utilize identification information associated with an individual user. Furthermore, the platform may implement a response using location information associated with the user from the country code, area code or prefix code of a user'"'"'s telephone number, or use GPS location information associated with the user'"'"'s internet device. The symbol command system and method provide an improved form of access to products and services via the internet.

Claims

1. An internet-based delivery platform connected to a communications network for distributing goods or services based on information sent from an internet device to the delivery platform, said platform comprising:

a) a computing device and a computer operations program, module or code for operating an internet-based delivery platform;

b) an internet interface accessible by a user internet device, said internet interface configured for receiving a symbol command message including a smart symbol command from a user, wherein the smart symbol command comprises a basic symbol command and at least one of a functional command or a keyword command that modifies the basic symbol command, wherein the functional command defines a quantitative parameter of a good or service associated with the basic symbol command, and the keyword command defines a qualitative parameter of a good or service associated with the basic symbol command;

c) a symbol command directory with a database having a plurality of basic symbol commands that are associated with one or more goods or services, and one or more functional and keyword commands;

d) a comparison program, module or code for comparing at least a part of the symbol command message with the plurality of basic symbol commands and the functional and keyword commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory; and

e) a distribution program, module or code for bypassing an internet website to directly implement a distribution of a good or service associated in the symbol command directory with the basic symbol command according to the at least one functional command or keyword command in the symbol command message to prevent a direct interfacing between the user and a separate vendor distributing the good or service.

2. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more smart symbol commands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing the smart symbol command in the symbol command message with one or more smart symbol commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.

3. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more keyword commands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing a keyword command in the symbol command message with one or more keyword commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.

4. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more function commands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing a function command in the symbol command message with one or more function commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.

5. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the computer operations program, module or code is associated with a database for maintaining a profile associated with a user, said database including at least one user identification data field for holding user identity data.

6. The platform according to claim 5, wherein the user identity data is associated with a phone number, a fixed IP address, an identifier defined by the user, or another identifier associated with the user.

7. The platform according to claim 5, wherein the user identity data is associated with a MSISDN number, a part of a MSISDN number, a fixed IP address, or an ID defined by or associated with the user.

8. The platform according to claim 5, wherein the computer operations program, module or code includes coding for a process for verifying a user'"'"'s identity a) prior to granting a user access to the platform and/or b) after granting a user access to the platform.

9. The platform according to claim 5, wherein the computer operations program, module or code includes coding for a process for accepting manual input of data associated with a user'"'"'s identity.

10. The platform according to claim 5, wherein the computer operations program, module or code includes coding for a process for accepting automated input of data associated with a user'"'"'s identity.

11. The platform according to claim 10, wherein the automated. input of data is loadable from a user'"'"'s internet device.

12. The platform according to claim 10, wherein the automated input of data is loadable from a location associated with a communications network connectable with the platform or a user'"'"'s internet device.

13. The platform according to claim 12, wherein the communications network connectable with the platform or the user'"'"'s internet device is a) the internet or b) a GSM, TDMA, CDMA or satellite communications network.

14. The platform according to claim 5, wherein a platform database includes at least one data field for user billing information data.

15. The platform according to claim 5, wherein a platform database includes at least one data field for user authentication data for authenticating the identity of a user when a) providing a user access to the platform or b) processing a purchase or distribution of goods or services distributed through the platform.

16. The platform according to claim 15, wherein the user authentication data corresponds with a PIN associated with the user.

17. The platform according to claim 5, wherein a platform database includes at least one data field for holding location information for locating or delivering goods or services distributed using the platform.

18. The platform according to claim 17, wherein the data field for location information is configured to hold data associated with a telelocation.

19. The platform according to claim 17, wherein the data field for location information is configured to hold data associated with a global positioning system location.

20. The platform according to claim 17, wherein the data field for location information is configured to hold data associated with an E911 location.

21. The platform according to claim 17, wherein the data field for location information is configured to hold data associated with a HLR or VLR registry in a GSM network.

22. The platform according to claim 17, wherein the data field for location information is configured to hold data associated with a geographic variable location.

23. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the interface is a webpage.

24. The platform according to claim 23, wherein the webpage has an input field for receiving entry of a symbol command message.

25. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the computer operations program, module or code includes coding for a one-click purchasing process.

26. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the computer operations program, module or code includes coding for sending a response to a user after a symbol command is processed at the platform.

27. The platform according to claim 26, wherein the coding for a response specifies sending the response to the interface.

28. The platform according to claim 26, wherein the coding for a response specifies sending the response by IM, SMS, MMS or email message.

29. An internet-based system for ordering and distributing goods or services comprising:

a) an internet device; and

b) an internet-based delivery platform according to claim 1.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the internet device is a mobile device.

31. The system according to claim 29, wherein the internet device is a phone.

32. The system according to claim 29, wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more smart symbol commands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing the smart symbol command in the symbol command message with one or more smart symbol commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.

33. The system according to claim 29, wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more keyword commands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing the keyword command in the symbol command message with one or more keyword commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.

34. The system according to claim 29, wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more function commands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing the function command in the symbol command message with one or more function commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.

35. The system according to claim 29, wherein the computer operations program, module or code is associated with a database for maintaining a profile associated with a user, said database including at least one user identification data field for holding user identity data for verifying the identity of a user.

36. The system according to claim 29, wherein the user identity data is associated with a phone number, a fixed IP address, an identifier defined by the user, or another identifier associated with the user.

37. The system according to claim 29, wherein the user identity data is associated with a MSISDN number, a part of a MSISDN number, a fixed IP address, or an ID defined by or associated with the user.

38. The system according to claim 29, wherein the computer operations program, module or code includes coding for a process of verifying a user'"'"'s identity a) prior to granting a user access to the platform and/or b) after granting a user access to the platform.

39. A method of using an internet platform connected to a communications network, said method comprising:

a) accepting a user ID for access to the internet platform through an interface;

b) receiving at the platform a symbol command message including a smart symbol command from a user, wherein the smart symbol command comprises a basic symbol command and at least one of a functional command or a keyword command that modifies the basic symbol command, wherein the functional command defines a quantitative parameter of a good or service associated with the basic symbol command, and the keyword command defines a qualitative parameter of a good or service associated with the basic symbol command;

c) comparing at the platform at least a part of the symbol command message to a symbol command directory associated with a database having a plurality of basic symbol commands that are associated with one or more goods or services, and one or more functional and keyword commands; and

d) bypassing an internet website to directly implement a response by the platform based on the symbol command message to prevent a direct interfacing between the user and a separate vendor implementing the response.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the response includes distributing a good or service associated. with the basic symbol command according to the at least one functional command or keyword command in the symbol command message.

41. The method according to claim 39, wherein the response includes processing of a purchase of a good or service associated with the basic symbol command according to the at least one functional command or keyword command in the symbol command message.

42. The method according to claim 39, wherein the response includes sending a request for information associated with the symbol command message.

43. The method according to claim 39, wherein the comparing includes comparing the smart symbol command in the symbol command message with one or more smart symbol commands, keyword commands or function commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.

44. The method according to claim 39, wherein the accepting a user ID for access step includes verifying the identity of a user.

45. The method according to claim 41, wherein the processing of a purchase includes verifying the identity of a user.

46. The method according to claim 44 or 45, wherein the verifying the identity of a user includes authenticating a user through sending an IN, SMS, MMS or email message to the user requesting a PIN or other authentication response from the user.

47. The method according to claim 44 or 45, wherein the verifying the identity of a user includes a comparing of the user identity with data associated with a user profile at the platform, said data associated with a) a phone number, b) a fixed IP address, c) an identifier defined by the user, or d) another identifier associated with the user.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the phone number is a MSISDN number.

49. The method according to claim 39, wherein the response includes sending information for presentation to the user through the interface.

50. The method according to claim 39, wherein the response includes sending information for presentation to the user through an IN, SMS, MMS or email message.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the information for presentation to the user sent through an IM, SMS, MMS or email message includes information in a bar code format.

52. The method according to claim 39, wherein the response by the platform is associated with location information for locating or delivering goods or services distributed using the platform.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the location information is associated with a telelocation.

54. The method according to claim 52, wherein the location information is associated with a global positioning system location.

55. The method according to claim 52, wherein the location information is associated with an E911 location.

56. The method according to claim 52, wherein the location information is associated with an HLR or VLR registry in a GSM network.

57. The method according to claim 52, wherein the location information is associated with a geographic variable location.

58. The method according to claim 39, wherein the interface is a webpage.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein the webpage has an input field for receiving entry of a symbol command message.

60. The method according to claim 41, wherein the purchase includes a single-click process associated with the purchase.